Back Football To Amsterdam Riders

13 May 2016

Oldham Athletic fans are being called upon to back their team as they prepare for the Football to Amsterdam cycle challenge in June.

The Challenge

More than 250 members from over 50 football clubs including six from Oldham will be cycling from two UK locations to Amsterdam in support of Prostate Cancer UK, The Football League’s long-term Official Charity Partner.

This year they plan to smash the previous years' total of £5,000 and will be organising various fundraising events over the next few months ahead of the ride.

In total the team will cycle over 150 miles over two days starting from Barnsley FC heading South East along the beautiful Dearne Valley, then North to Doncaster and on to Hull FC ready for the overnight ferry to the Netherlands.

The following day they will cycle through the Netherlands along specially made cycle tracks to finish at the famous Ajax Stadium all the while fundraising to hit their £6000 target.

The Riders

Speaking of the challenge, Jenny said: “I am delighted to be participating in Football to Amsterdam for the third year running. I must be mad! It’s a tough challenge but lots of fun.

"Everyone is very supportive of each other and every year it just gets bigger and better. I’m calling on all Oldham Athletic supporters to help us reach our target. Anything you can donate, please do. I’d best get training!”

Her fiancé Scott Jagger, will also be participating for the third year: “It’s an exciting adventure and at the same time we are raising money and awareness for an amazing cause.”

Oldham supporters, Rob Stockford and Rick Wallis are geared up for the challenge: Speaking of last year’s ride, Rob said: “The whole event was amazing, from the start of the fundraising and watching the total rise only served to spur me on to train on cold dreary Sunday’s.

"It was amazing to think that we had been part of an event that in the end raised over £300k for such a great cause. Please support us all in the name of Latics as we look to do it all again.”

Rick added: “The ride last year was great. It was a massive physical challenge but being part of the Latics element of Men United and helping to raise funds and awareness of Prostate Cancer was worth all the effort.

"I am glad I played my small part in helping improve the outcomes for men affected by this all too prevalent disease.”

The club’s safety officer, Brian Lawton is saddled up and ready to ride again: “It was a real privilege to represent our football club and while the distance made it tough going, it was a real team effort from the Oldham gang. The fact that we were raising money for such a worthy cause made falling off and sore legs all worthwhile.”

Kyle Jagger, who is participating in the challenge for the first time is excited to get going: “It’s a great privilege to be able to help raise money for such an important charity while challenging myself.

"Knowing people who have completed this the previous two years, I’ve only heard great things about the event and can’t wait to get started.”

One in eight men are affected by prostate cancer and there are 250,000 men living with the disease in the UK. The donations you make can help us beat this disease and save thousands of men.

Further Information and to Donate

Places are limited so if you’d like to join team OAFC and ride into Europe, click here for more information. Have a look at our gallery to see what a great time we had last year!